My prediction, Ninja Gates will enter the game every time we reach the redzone, slaughter the Texans for 3TDs, retire to his Bat Cave for the bye week, then reemerge in time to spin kick McDouche in the chest week 11.

I can't imagine someone as tough as Antonio Gates letting himself be sidelined by plantar fasciitis. I've had it twice---it hurt like hell when I'd first start walking around after sitting or resting for awhile, but once I was up and walking around the pain would fade away. I worked 12-hour shifts a medical/surgical hospital floor when I had my last bout with it, and I never missed a day of work. I don't think Gates will either.

I can't imagine someone as tough as Antonio Gates letting himself be sidelined by plantar fasciitis. I've had it twice---it hurt like hell when I'd first start walking around after sitting or resting for awhile, but once I was up and walking around the pain would fade away. I worked 12-hour shifts a medical/surgical hospital floor when I had my last bout with it, and I never missed a day of work. I don't think Gates will either.

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It depends on how severe it is. Plantar Fasciitis can range from simple inflamation to a strain, sprain or parial tear. I had it once, too, and the pain ran from the heel to the hip. Merely walking is one thing, running and pushing off on the affected foot is another, since the force needed is so much greater than just walking. Hard use aggravates the injury. People who merely have to walk and stand can also make use of orthotics that football players can't use. In hard use, the gate changes also cause serious stress on other parts of the body. It's real easy to blow out an Achilles Tendon or a knee ligament that way.

I've read that he may risk aggravating the injury, so I would tend to agree that his role may be reduced. Although, If he does play I doubt he'll see time only when they want to go to him. All toughness aside, seems beyond any doubt he'll be shooting-up the pain meds to play. I'm a hard sell for any player and I'm not especially impressed with Gates. I mean, I love his wingspan and he has great hands. Uses his hands well to keep defenders off him. But I'm not impressed with his size, his route running or his speed. He looks real cumbersome and after the catch he can't cut to save his life. I'd harass him and keep him from releasing clean.

I only saw several plays from last week but what I noticed was that the Titans kept showing a very soft corner on the weak-side. It wouldn't surprise me to see the Texans double the wideouts and force the Chargers to consistently beat them with Gates v DB and Mathews getting yards v their front seven. This would require them running their nickle package, but would let their young CBs come up and play aggressive, but with help over the top. I suppose this is where this team comes to life and makes their run to the SB. I find it to be a rather unlikely model, that the front office could successfully undermine the contribution of a number of core players and expect to win. That the players would be happy to go out and underscore the effectiveness of Deano's self-serving methodology. But this is the NFL after all.

Sit Gates. If this team can not win a game without Gates, we are not worthy for crap.

If Gates plays and produces, everyone needs to kiss his as.s and proclaim him as god-like. His urine may rival AJ Smith's in magical powers.

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I would agree with you under normal circumstances, but we don't have Floyd or Naanee either. Wilson and McMichael are a huge step back from Gates, its going to take a carrer day from Rivers or the best game ever by our defense to keep us in this game.

I would agree with you under normal circumstances, but we don't have Floyd or Naanee either. Wilson and McMichael are a huge step back from Gates, its going to take a carrer day from Rivers or the best game ever by our defense to keep us in this game.

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Arian Foster is the only threat. The WR Johnson is hobbled so one good leg stomp and he is done. The Texan secondary is dogcrap. Even a Rivers caca game will work...oh and Gates is INACTIVE per NFL Network just now.

Arian Foster is the only threat. The WR Johnson is hobbled so one good leg stomp and he is done. The Texan secondary is dogcrap. Even a Rivers caca game will work...oh and Gates is INACTIVE per NFL Network just now.

Except it's not just without Gates. It'd be without their 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th string wide receivers and Gates.

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Rivers will make up the difference and so will the new WR's. Gary Banks is nails. The more I see of Hairytututu I like. I would run more max protect packages today and run run run like hell in the first half and then run run run some more ..... Ryan needs to earn his money today.

I have no idea what to expect from these backup TEs, but I'd still defend pass first. You'll probably see more multiple rec'r sets. Fact is, what stood out in that short highlight segment from last week was Rivers placement and timing. Pretty brutal! He does that today, look out.